Liquid and moisture extractor



Aug. 27, 1929. M. G. VCIGHTLANDER 1,726,373

LIQUID AND MOISTURE EXTRACTOR Filed Oct. 19, 1927 2 Shee'ts-Sheet l 8 I I JIHII HH 'FLOOIQ Lllv L (32 I /1 X 44 n n," V. M 60 86 l a I a6 .4 42 v Q I T avwenlioz Au 27, 1929. MG. VOIGHTLANDER 1,726,373

LIQUID AND MOISTURE 'EX TRACTQK Filed Oct. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 27, 1 929.

NITE STATES 1,726,373 PATENT OFFICE mnxmrnmn e. vorenrmnnma, or CINCINNATI, onro, nssmnon. :ro noun u.

LEWIN, or CINCINNATI, onro.

LIQUID AND MOISTURE EXTRAGTOB. I

Application filed October 19, 1927. Serial No. 227,302.

This invention relates to liquid extractors and while useful for many purposes, the present invention has particular reference to a moisture extractor for use in laundries and similar establishments.

The primary object of the present inventionis to provide a method and apparatus for quickly expressing the liquid and moistune from laundered articles without damage thereto and which shall eject the articles so treated in; a substantially dry condition.

Another object is to provide an apparatus which shall be power operated and require merely the manipulations of certain '15 valves to operate the device.

' A further object is to provide an apparatus wherein the wet articles are first subjected to a pressing operation to remove the major portion of liquid therefrom and then without removal are subjected to a current of compressed air to remove the remaining moisture therefrom, thereby effecting a drying action so that the articles may be ejected in a substantially dry condition and hence need not be subsequently placed in a drier or handled for this step.

A still further object is to provide an apparatus of the aforesaid character which shall be simple in construction and operation, inexpensive to manufacture and install, and which shall be highly eflicient in operation.

With these and further objects and advantages which will become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention may be stated to consist in the various novel features of arrangement or combination, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing accompanying and forming part of this application Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through an apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure Figure 3 is a top plan view with parts broken away of the ejector plate and perforated disk;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View on the line 44 of Figure 3; and

Figures 5 and 6 are fragmentary side elevations of the cover locking mechanism.

An apparatus-constructed in accordance with my mventioncomprises a container 1 which 1n the present instance is cylindrical in shape and closed at its bottom by a plate 2 hav1ng an upstanding peripheral edge portion? that receives the cylindrical container 1. If desired the portion 3 and container 1 may be united by welding or any other suit able means to secure a tight joint therebetween. Surrounding the upper portion of the container is a collar 4 having a plurality of In 5 extending laterally therefrom, each of w 1611 is slightly inclined circumferentially on its lower surface 6 for a purpose to be referred to hereinafter. The top of container 1 is adapted to be closed by a cover 7 that is formed with a downwardly and inwardly directed peripheral edge portion 8 wh ch defines a circumferential groove 9. ThlS edge portion is notched at 10 to receive the lugs 5 and preferably the groove ineach portion 8 is slightly inclined in .a circumferential direction so that when the cover is in position with the lugs 5 in notches 10, the cover may be easily locked to the collar 4 by rotating it slightly to engage lugs 5.in the grooves 9. otation of the cover is facilitated by suitable handles 11 which project radially therefrom.

Collar 4 is'also formed with a plurality of laterally extending cars 12 from each of which rises a tie rod 13. These tie rods are secured at their upper ends to a plate 14 on which is mounted a pressure fluid cylinder 15. Slidably mounted in cylinder 15 is a piston 16 having a piston rod' 17 that extends through plate 14 and cover 7 and is fitted at its lower end with compress plate 18. As clearly shown in Figure 1, suitable packing glands 19 are formed on the plate 14 and cover 7 to receive the piston rod 17 and insure a fluid tight joint therebetween. As shown in detail in Figure 2 compress plate 18 is formed. with suitable radially disposed strengthening ribs and also with a plurality of perforations 20.

Pressure fluid cylinder 15 is fitted at the top and bottom with pipes 21 and 22 respectively which lead to a two-way control valve 23, that in turn is connected with an exhaust pipe 24 and also with a pipe 25 which leads to a source of fluidunder pressure. A handle 26 fitted to valve 23 enables the operator to admit the fluid under pressure from pipe '25 to either side of the piston and simultane- & bottom plate 2, and is connected to a piston 37. This piston is slidabl mounted in a cylinder 38 which depen s from bottom plate 2, and a pipe 39 connected to the lower end of the cylinder serves to admit fluid under pressure thereto, such admission being controlled by a valve 40. A perforated disk 41 is adapted to be placed on ejector plate 30 and rests on ribs 31 thereby preventing the compressed articles from enterin and closing the trough 32 during the liquid and moisture extracting process.

As clearly shown in Figure 1, a drain pipe 42 having a control valve 43 communicates with the container 1 through bottom plate 2, while a vacuum line 44 having a control valve 45 communicates with the container through the side wall thereof at a point up wardly from the bottom thereof but below the lowermost position of ejector plate 30. Also extending into container 1 through the side wall of collar 4 is a compressed air pipe 46 which is fitted with a control valve 47.

The apparatus as a unit is preferably mounted to extend above and below the floor level and for this purpose I have provided ears 50 on collar 4, such ears being adapted to rest on the floor surface and be secured thereto by bolts or other suitable fastening mean-s. With this arrangement the top of container 1 is substantially level with the floor so that the laundered articles may be easily placed in, or removed from container 1.

In use, with the parts as shown in Figure 1, the operator first rotates'the cover 7 to bring the notches 10 in alignment with lugs 5 whereupon valve handle 26 is rotated to admit fluid under pressure from pipe 25 to the lower side of piston 16 and simultaneously connect the pipe 21 with exhaust pipe 24. Piston 16 moves upwardly carrying with it compress plate 18 which in turn contacts with cover 7 and lifts it above the top of container 1. The previously Washed articles are now placed in container 1 on top of perforated disk 41 which rests on ejector plate 30. Valve 44 of drain pipe 43 is now opened and handle 26 rotated to admit fluid under pressure to the upper side of piston 16 and exhaust the cylinder on the lower the pressing operation is complete the drain valve 44 is closed, and suction line valve 45 and compressed air line valve 47 are opened. Compressed air enters the container 1 above the compress plate and. discharges through the apertures 20 therein which distributes the air through the compressed mass. The air passes throughout the mass vaporizing the moisture which is discharged through vacuum line 44. By admitting compressed air above the mass and providing a vacuum on the lower side of the ejector plate, I am enabled to force a rapid flow of air through the compressed mass which quickly removes the remaining moisture and dries the articles. If desired, the compressed air may be first heated by any suitable means, not shown, to assist in vaporizing the moisture remaining in the articles after mechanical pressing.

When the mass has been dried, the compressed air line valve 47 and suction line valve 45 are closed and tWo way valve 23 is operated after the cover 7 is unlocked, to raise the cover and compress plate from container l as previously described. Valve 40 is now opened to admit fluid under pressure to cylinder 38 which forces piston 37 and ejector plate 30 with the compressed and driedjarticles thereon, upwardly, thus facilitating the removal of the articles from container 1.

It is thus apparent that I have provided an apparatus wherein the liquid is first extracted by mechanical pressure and the remaining moisture is removed by vaporization, all of which is carried on in the same container and without removal of the material by the operator for each step.

What I claim is 1. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a fluid tight container adapted to receive the material to be treated, means for exerting a mechanical pressure on the material within the container to remove a portion of the liquid therefrom, and means for applying a, fluid under pressure to the material while thus compressed to remove the remaining liquid in the material.

2. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a fluid tight container adapted to receive the material to be treated, a pressure exerting element slidably mounted in said container and adapted to engage the material to press the liquid therefrom, and a source of fluid under pressure connected to said container and adapted to pass through said material while thus compressed to remove the remaining liquid therefrom.

3. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a fluid tight container adapted to receive the material to be treated, a perforated pressure exerting element slidably mounted in said container and adapted to engage the material to press the liquid therefrom, a pipe connected to said container on one side of said pressure exerting element and adapted to conduct the liquid extracted, and a second pipe connected to said container on the opposite side of said pressure exerting element and adapted to admit fluid under pressure to said container.

4. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a fluid tight container adapted to receive the material to be treated, a support in said container spaced from the bottom thereof and adapted to receive sai material, said support being formed with a plurality of openings communicating with the bottom portion of said container, a compressor element slidably mounted in said container and adapted to engage said material to press the liquid therefrom through the openings in said support, a drain pipe connected with the bottom portion of said container, a source of fluid under pressure connected to said container, means for distributing said fluid through the material, and means for exhausting the fluid from the container after it has passed through the material.

5. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a fluid tight container adapted to receive the material to be treated, a support slidably mounted in said container and adapted to receive the material thereon, means for conducting liquid from said support, a compressor element slidably mounted in said container and adapted to engage the material on said support, means for actuating said compressor element to compress the material on said support, a source of fluid under pressure connected with said container at a'point spaced from said compressor element, means for distributing the fluid through said material, and means for actuating said support to eject the treated material from the container.

6. An apparatus oft-he character set forth comprising a fluid tight container adapted to receive the material to be treated, a pair of perforated plates, means for exerting a mechanical pressure on one of said plates and the material within the container to remove a portion of the liquid therefrom, a source of gas under pressure connected with said container on one side of one of said perforated plates and means for maintaining a reduced pressure on the opposite side of the mounted in said container, means for actuating said plate in one direction to lift said cover from the container and in the opposite direction to seat said cover on the container and exert a pressure on material within the container to express liquid therefrom, and means for conducting the expressed liquid from said container.

8. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a fluid tight container having a removable cover, a material support slidably mounted in said container, a compress plate slidably mounted in said container, means for-actuating said compress plate in one direction to lift said cover from the container to permit material to be placed on said support and inthe opposite direction to seat said cover on the container and exert a pressure on the material on said support, and means for actuating said support to eject the material from said container.

9. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a vertically disposed fluid tight container having a removable cover, a mate rial support slidably mounted in said container, a compress plate slidably mounted in the upper portion of said container, means for actuating said compress plate in one direction to lift said cover from the container to permit material to be placed on said support and in the opposite direction to seat said cover on the container and exert a pressure on the material on said support, a source of compressed air connected to said container adjacent the upper end thereof,

said compress plate having means associated therewith for distributing the compressed air through the material on said support, and means for actuating said support to eject the material from the upper end of said container.

10. An apparatus of the character set forth comprising a vertically disposed fluid tight container having a removable cover, a material support slidably mounted in said container, a compress plate slidably mounted in the upper portion of said container, means for actuating said compress plate in one direction to lift said cover from the container to permit material to be placed on said support and in the opposite direction to seat said cover on the container and exert a pressure on the material on said support, a source of compressed air connected to said container adjacent the upper end thereof, said compress plate havin a plurality of apertures therein for distributing the compressed air through the material on said I of said container.

11. The method of extracting liquid from material which consists in first placing the material in a fluid tight container, then subjecting the material to mechanical pressure and conducting away the liquid thus removed, and while still maintaining the material under pressure subjecting the same to "a gas under pressure on one side thereof while maintaining a reduced pressure on the opposite side thereof.

12. The method of extracting liquid from I material which consists in first subjecting the material to mechanical pressure to re move the maior portion of liquid therefrom,

and while sti l maintaining mechanical pressure on the material subjecting the same to a current of fluid to remove additional liquid therefrom. v

13. The method of extracting liquid from material which consists in first placing the material in a fluid tight container, then subjecting the material to mechanical pressure and conducting away the liquid thus removed, and while still maintaining mechanical pressure on the material subjecting the same to a current of fluid to remove additional liquid from the material.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. MAXIMILIAN G. VOIGHTLANDER. 

